Welcome to the Bulldogs: Bailey Smith

[hujsh]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Bailey Smith

Did Wingard like the post?

[bulldogtragic]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Bailey Smith

Jon Ralph
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/a...989a330f9391ba

On Monday reports emerged Hawthorn would be a potential suitor, while Geelong has interest in securing him to bolster their midfield.

But the Dogs position is clear ? under no circumstances would they trade Smith even if he made clear he was keen for a fresh start.

The Dogs believe he is part of their long-term future, is in a position they are keen to bolster in coming years and has rarely or ever fallen out of selection favour.

While it is no secret Smith would like to play more minutes as a pure midfielder or even centre-square mid, he has often been played at half forward this year.

But the Dogs believe it is the same position where he displayed such slashing form in the 2021 finals series, with the Dogs pushing a high half forward like Smith up to the stoppages to play as an extra midfielder.

Smith is also aware he will need to have the pre-season of his life to force his way into the midfield while also focusing on his defensive run and kicking.

Western Bulldogs list boss Sam Power has skilfully built the club?s list but with a reputation of standing his ground in negotiations with player managers.

He would not relent on trading Josh Dunkley three seasons ago unless the club secured two first-round picks from Essendon, with the deal eventually falling over.

Dunkley eventually departed last year for a suite of picks from Brisbane.

But if Smith does eventually want to leave Whitten Oval at the end of next year, doing so as an uncontracted player would give him a range of options not available as a contracted player.

With the trade period five weeks away the Dogs are keen to shut down speculation about Smith?s status instead of allowing it to simmer.

Smith has his exit interview on Tuesday at Whitten Oval with coach Luke Beveridge as the club digests a 12-11 season that saw them miss the finals.

The Dogs will start the draft order with two first-round picks ? their own and the Brisbane Lions selection.

They would love to trade those selections for an early pick to take a young midfielder in another indication of their desire to bolster their midfield.

Athletic father-son forward Jordan Croft could secure a bid in the mid-teens given his talents, so the Dogs would ideally prefer to take a selection before they match that selection with points from later selections.

This story by Ralphy has been updated an hour ago to read:

The Western Bulldogs will hold the line on retaining contracted forward Bailey Smith next year with the talented midfielder aware the club has no intention of trading him.

Smith is keen to play more midfield time and would be open to a trade if one could be brokered despite playing 103 games in five rollercoaster seasons with the Western Bulldogs.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Bailey Smith

Someone has told Ralphy he’s prepared to be traded tonight. After the first version ran. Interesting period ahead to speak to Ralphy tonight.

[angelopetraglia]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Bailey Smith

I think we will learn a lot more in the next few days. Especially post review. The club will not want this to be a constant distraction.

[angelopetraglia]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Bailey Smith

It is interesing. Didn't English run a similar campaign to secure the position on the field he wanted (first ruck and not fowrard/ruck which from memory even Bevo once referenced)

Is Baeiley Smith doing something similar?

Whatever the truth is. It doesn't look good for the club.

[angelopetraglia]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Bailey Smith

Caroline Wilson

"There is huge frustration with Bailey Smith, he is on a huge amount of money, he is clearly a very high maintenace player, several clubs looking at him pies, hawks and cats."

[MrMahatma]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Bailey Smith

Hope he stays.

[soupman]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Bailey Smith

If the hawks are real keen is there a player around the same age we would want without being too ridiculous plus a first round pick.

Think Hawks have lots of good young guys worth looking at. Whether or not they part with them though...

Fwiw DGB is not one of the good ones.

The maybe gettable guys i like would be;
-Lachlan Bramble, a smooth running wing type who I imagine would have great metres gained and is maybe a bit Bailey Dale esque. -Connor MacDonald who is basically the half forward we want Garcia to be.

[azabob]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Bailey Smith

Someone has told Ralphy he’s prepared to be traded tonight. After the first version ran. Interesting period ahead to speak to Ralphy tonight.

Damn. So a lot has happened since I logged off last night.

[azabob]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Bailey Smith

It is interesing. Didn't English run a similar campaign to secure the position on the field he wanted (first ruck and not fowrard/ruck which from memory even Bevo once referenced)

Is Baeiley Smith doing something similar?

Whatever the truth is. It doesn't look good for the club.

Yes, but don't tell others as some don't like that narrative.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Bailey Smith

Yes, but don't tell others as some don't like that narrative.

I think it’s great having a group of individuals demanding where they play (KPF, 1st ruck, midfield) in a team environment. Seems there’s plenty of I’s in this team.

[azabob]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Bailey Smith

I think it’s great having a group of individuals demanding where they play (KPF, 1st ruck, midfield) in a team environment. Seems there’s plenty of I’s in this team.

Yep I said a very similar point in the Sharp Axes thread on Sunday. Makes me also think that the whole Naughton/Bontempelli has some semblance of truth to it.

[hujsh]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Bailey Smith

Yep I said a very similar point in the Sharp Axes thread on Sunday. Makes me also think that the whole Naughton/Bontempelli has some semblance of truth to it.

What’s that one?

[GVGjr]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Bailey Smith

What’s that one?

There was some speculation that when Bruce went down at Ballarat, Bont told Naughton to go back until they heard from the coaches and Naughton ignored that.
Just speculation but you would hope that Naughton would follow the captains request until hearing from the coaches.

[Mantis]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Bailey Smith

What’s that one?

Story goes that in the GWS game (when we had injuries in the backline) before a directive came from the box Bont asked Naughts to go to defence and he refused.